Paul Krichell 1923 New York Yankees World Series Watch and Charm

Highly significant and rare New York Yankees 1923 World Series gold pocket watch issued to players and team personnel in commemoration of the club’s first World Championship in franchise history. This is the equivalent of a Yankees World Series ring for 1923. A watch was the standard presentation piece awarded by teams in honor of winning the World Series in the 1920s and before. (The first World Series ring ever presented by any team was the Giants in 1922; the first World Series ring presented by the Yankees was in 1927.) This watch was issued to legendary Yankees scout Paul Krichell (the man who discovered Lou Gehrig) and has been consigned directly by a family member. The Gruen Pentagon watch (manufactured by the renowned Gruen Watch Company) features a Precision-grade and Verithin movement, as noted on the face. The reverse displays an engraved baseball scene and is lettered “Yankees – World Champions 1923.” It is accompanied by its original black-leather case bearing the name of “The Frank Herschede Co., Cincinnati” (the jewelry company where the watches were purchased). This watch commemorates the start of baseball’s greatest dynasty. After losing the World Series to the Giants in both 1921 and 1922, the Yankees finally defeated their National League rivals in 1923, thus marking the first World Championship in franchise history. It would be the first of many World Championships for Yankees owner Jacob Ruppert and his club. Ruppert spared no expense that year in rewarding his players with an appropriate memento of their victory, for this exquisite piece was Gruen’s top-of-the-line watch. The historical significance of this piece is equaled by its rarity. Very few examples have ever surfaced and there are probably fewer than six known. To say that Krichell was looked upon favorably at the time by Yankees management would be a major understatement. Krichell had just signed Lou Gehrig the year before and Gehrig actually made his Major League debut in 1923. Unfortunately, he didn't appear in the Series because Giants manager John McGraw rejected the Yankees’ petition to put Gehrig on the 1923 World Series roster. Accompanying the watch is a New York Yankees 1923 World Championship gold charm which is also obviously team-issued. The small, round charm, engraved to resemble a baseball, is lettered “Yankees – 1923 Worlds Champions” on the front and features Krichell’s initials “PK” on the reverse. The watch (approximately 2 x 2 inches) is apparently not currently working, though it has obviously never been used and could no doubt easily be restored to working order; it is otherwise in Near Mint condition. This is the only 1923 Yankees Championship watch example we have seen which is accompanied by its original case. The case is in Excellent condition. The charm is also in Excellent condition. Total: 3 items (watch, watch case, and charm). Reserve $2,500. Estimate $5,000+.SOLD FOR $7,050.00

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